Ronald 'Ron' E. Bockstruck, 91

Ronald E. (Ron) Bockstruck went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early in the morning of Monday, July 13, 2026. He was 91. Ron was born Aug. 16, 1934, to Bill and Eunice Bockstruck in Kennewick, Wash., the second of three sons. While the family struggled through the Great Depression, in 1936 they made their way to Bayview, Idaho, by Lake Pend Oreille. There, Ron’s father fished, hunted, worked at odd jobs and built the family a log cabin.

After their father’s tragic death in 1943, Ron and his two brothers went to live on their grandparents’ farm in Finley, Wash. They were able to rejoin their mother several years later in Spokane. She would eventually remarry. And seeds of faith were planted in Ron’s life — through his grandmother’s influence and Sunday school, Youth for Christ meetings and Christian friends.

Ron met young Robin Johnson on a blind date, and they were married in 1954. By that time, Ron was working as an engineering aide trainee with the Washington State Department of Transportation — the start of a career that would take him and his family all around the state in the decades to follow. But first, Ron would serve with the U.S. Army in post-war South Korea, helping to rebuild that country. After returning to the States, he worked for a time for a small engineering firm, earned a degree in civil engineering from Gonzaga University, and rose from surveyor to project engineer to Seattle district administrator. In all, he worked more than 30 years with the state DOT. On any drive around the state, Ron could point out bridges and highways he and his crews had built or rebuilt. He was especially proud of the North Cascades Highway and Mercer Island lid projects that he managed.

After retiring from the state, Ron served for several years as an engineering consultant with the Sverdrup Corporation for projects in Long Beach (California), Salt Lake City and Brooklyn. He and Robin eventually retired to their beloved Lake Pend Oreille, building a wonderful home not far from the original Bockstruck log cabin.

As for family, the first of six children (and only son) arrived in 1957, followed by five daughters. And despite a busy professional life, Ron was deeply involved with his family, church, scouts and the lives of others. From Spokane to Wenatchee, Olympia to the Seattle area, the Bockstruck home was always a refuge and their marriage a bright beacon of Christ’s love. The kids will always remember spontaneous Sunday afternoon drives and family vacations at places like Newman Lake and Priest Lake.

Ron is survived by his wife of 72 years, Robin, and by his six kids: Scott (Zenita) Bockstruck, Ronda (Robert) Elmer, Julie (Joe) Brand, Adonna (Wayne) Deibel, Nancy (John) Burrows, and Brenda (Brad) McQuarrie; as well as 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. As Ron once shared, “all because two very young people were in love with each other and with their Savior, Jesus Christ!”

All are welcome to a celebration of Ron’s life, 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 at Hayden Bible Church, 290 E. Miles Ave., Hayden. In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate in Ron’s name to Hayden Bible Church or to a charity of your choice.

Please visit Ron’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.